Improving Healthy Birth Outcomes

Why it Matters

Birth outcomes measures health at birth. These outcomes determine whether a child has a “healthy start," or may have current and future health problems.

Certain health conditions, social and economic factors, and behaviors can increase the risk of poor reproductive and birth outcomes.

What the Data Shows

In Dane County, there are significant racial disparities in infant mortality rates attributable to social determinants like income, racism, access to health care, disease status, chronic stress, nutrition and weight status.

Complications due to preterm birth (births happening before the 37th week of pregnancy) is the leading cause of infant mortality in Dane County.

Initiatives to Improve Healthy Birth Outcomes

Fetal Infant Mortality Review

We coordinate a Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) process to improve our understanding of the conditions that contribute to stillbirth and infant death.

FIMR provides us with more thorough and timely information about the medical and social factors that affect the families who have experienced the tragic outcome of fetal or infant death. With this information, we can collaboratively work to improve prenatal and infant health.

FIMR consists of a case review team made up of health providers, representatives from community-based organizations, public health practitioners and social service providers that:

Community Engagement to Address Black Infant Health

Currently, babies born to Black mothers in Dane County are two times more likely than white infants to be born underweight. Babies born early are and at risk of significant health challenges (including death) in their first year of life.

During 2018, we are working with the Dane County Health Council and the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness on a collaborative community engagement campaign intended to address and identify solutions to lower the incidence of low birth weight babies born to Black women in Dane County. The project includes a series of focus groups and forums across the community to ensure that families most impacted are engaged.

Increasing Breastfeeding Rates

Why it Matters

Breastfeeding reduces risk of certain illnesses in moms and infants, giving baby a healthy start that lasts a lifetime.

Breastfeeding saves money, is better for the environment, and moms who breastfeed may miss less work caring for a sick baby than moms who feed their baby with formula.

What the Data Shows

There are racial disparities in our community in whether women begin to breastfeed, and in how long they breastfeed.

There is a need for culturally and linguistically appropriate breastfeeding support in our community.

Initiatives to Improve Breastfeeding Rates

We are addressing barriers women face in their decision, ability, and desire to breastfeed in order to provide equal opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible. Some examples include:

Collaborate with Environmental Health team to brainstorm how to engage restaurants in supporting their staff in breastfeeding

Offer micro fundingto community sites and small businesses to provide breastfeeding friendly supplies and equipment

Note:

This website sometimes uses the term "woman," "women," and female gendered pronouns "she" and "her" because most people in need of workplace accommodations and other support related to breastfeeding are women. It is important to recognize, however, that this population also includes people who do not identify as women, including some gender non-conforming people and some transgender men." PHMDC: Safe, Welcoming and Inclusive

Healthy People. Healthy Places.

Public Health Services are available to all residents and visitors of Madison and Dane County. Citizenship is not a requirement. We provide services regardless of a person's race, color, gender/gender expression, ability, religion, sexual orientation or place of birth/place of residence.

Our Mission

Working with the community to enhance, protect, and promote the health of the environment and the well being of all people.